Good morning everyone. Please take the time today to hug somebody and tell them you care. We often walk around assuming that everyone knows that simple fact. Don’t assume.

Today’s Prayer

Father, help us each day of our lives to remember to count our blessings and to concentrate on the positive, for it is not what life does to us, but rather our attitude that determines the amount of peace and joy that we experience. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love You and are called by You. Help us to cling to this and always to praise You. In JESUS’ name we pray. Amen.

Let’s eat.

An Eternal View of Circumstances

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. – Philippians 1:12

I think that you can discern by the title and the scripture where the message is going this today. Are your life circumstances advancing the gospel? Can you see the Lord’s hand in your life in such a way that all of your life experiences, joys, sorrows, hardships, and training have resulted in advancing the gospel?

The bible tells use that Paul was a tent maker by trade. But he had an overall ministry objective in his business life. That objective left him imprisoned and persecuted at times. But Paul saw these events not as roadblocks to his mission. Rather, they were catalysts to advancing the cause of Christ. Paul’s revelation of this kept him from despairing about his circumstances.

As I was reading one of Os Hillman’s writings, I ran upon a story that is relevant to our topic. It says that one day a little-known pastor who lived in the small African nation of Benin began to pray for his Marxist president. For two years he prayed. Then the Lord told the pastor to go to meet this president and share the gospel with him. The president rejected the gospel, but after another such occasion, the president accepted the gospel and became a Christian. He was removed from power but was discipled by this pastor. Sometime later this same president was elected again. Today that president is now a Christian leader of a nation committed to spreading the gospel throughout his nation. One man – yet millions have been affected by his obedience. This modern-day story is retold in countless lives of those willing to live for a cause greater than themselves.

So now I have two questions for you.

Are your work and life experiences serving to advance the gospel?

What experiences has God allowed in your life that are part of His plan to advance the gospel?

Ask Him to help you see your life the way He sees it. Seeing our life the way God sees it will help us avoid discouragement in those times when life appears to be a mystery to us.

Quote of the Day

Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle never know.

Charles Kingsley

WITH HOPE AND FAITH

REV. ELDER G E STERRETT

FOUNDER

GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY

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